SOCIETY 369 / 2016

»We operate on
very high security
standards.
«
were only 2.52 million in 2015. We observed the
same trend with tourists from the United States
or Europe. Jordan had around 181.000 visitors
from the United States in 2010, whereas it were
only 161.000 last year. Austrian tourists amounted
to a number of around ten thousand in 2010
and only 4.8 thousand in 2015. Moreover, other
European countries such as France, Germany or
the UK show a similar trend. We hope the numbers
will begin to rise again in the near future
and we are looking forward to welcoming new
visitors coming to Jordan.
What measures are you undertaking in order
to raise the number of people visiting Jordan?
Jordan is actively promoting its tourism and
constantly encouraging people to celebrate the
wonderful country that is Jordan. As Minister of
Tourism, I am trying my very best to bring our
country’s essence closer to the rest of the world in
terms of culture, people, food etc. Jordanians are
of very welcoming nature and enjoy the contact
with outsiders in order to exchange views, ideas
and stories.
What are some of your tourism projects?
We have wonderful projects in progress that
we are very proud of. For instance, Jordan is hosting
the FIFA World Cup for women under seventeen
years, which is a very important event.
We are also opening the first international golf
course, inviting athletes to come and join us in
tournaments. In addition to that, we have extended
our already existing 27 km of seashore in
Aqaba by 14 km with the Saraya Aqaba project. It
includes wonderful scuba diving areas, exquisite
restaurants, five star hotels, water parks, signature
retail shops etc., not letting a heart’s desire
unfulfilled. We hope that projects like these will
help making our country more attractive to visitors.
CURRICULUM
VITAE
NAYEF HAMEDI AL-FAYEZ
holds a Bachelor’s degree
in Political Science and a
Master’s degree in International
Relations. He began
his professional career at
the Royal Hashemite Court
serving as Assistant Chief
of Royal Protocol for His
Majesty Late King Hussein
and His Majesty King
Abdullah II. Afterwards he
was employed as an advisor
in the Prime Ministry and
as the Managing Director
of the Dead Sea Institute
Project from 2005-2007. His
Excellency was appointed
Managing Director of the
Jordan Tourism Board in
2007, and served until
2001. In 2004 he became
chairman of the national
company for tourism development.
He was Minister
of Tourism in 2011 and was
renamed Minister until 2013.
He was reappointed and has
been Minister of Tourism
and Antiques since 2015.
INFOS
Tourism projects in Jordan
SARAYA AQABA
The Saraya Aqaba is a 1.5 km
lagoon on the tip of the Gulf
of Aqaba. It includes luxury
hotels, international restaurants,
a beach club and amphitheatre,
along with other
leisure and business venues
within an authentically styled
Arabian city.
FIFA U-17 Women’s
World Cup
Jordan is hosting a total of 32
games, which will be played
to decide the winner of the
FIFA U-17 Women‘s World
Cup in the cities of Amman,
Al Zarqa and Irbid.
JORDANIEN
INTERVIEW
»We are very proud
of our tourism
projects.
«
Jordan certainly is a beautiful country. What
would you tell people if they asked you why they
should come for a visit?
Jordan has so much to offer. Starting from natural
spas, one of the New Seven Wonders of the
World, Petra, a large variety of maritime life such
as fish and corals, the pleasant climate etc. We
also have wonderful hiking trails, archaeological
treasures, as well as a rich history to discover. I
have spoken to many visitors and have received
an outstanding amount of positive feedback over
the years. Now it is among my duties as Minister
of Tourism to inform and show people that it is
worth traveling to Jordan.
How are you evaluating the crisis in the Middle
East concerning the tourism revenue in Jordan?
When looking at the numbers of visitors from
European countries or the United States, it is very
clear that the conflict in the Middle East plays
a large role in our struggling tourism industry.
The media has had a distinct focus on the refugee
crisis and attacks in countries surrounding
Jordan. Of course, this has contributed to the fear
that people have, when they consider traveling to
Arab countries. This is why I would like to convey
the message, that Jordan is the last oasis of peace
in the Middle East.
Have you increased the security measures
since the conflicts?
Jordan has always had very high standards
when it comes to ensuring everyone is safe and
is certainly conscious of the threats surrounding
the country. We know who is crossing our boarders
and have our security measures in line with
international ones. I think Jordan and Austria
have a very similar way of handling this issue as
we are not intervening with people’s everyday life
but are operating on a high level in order to ensure
peace and security in our country. •
SOCIETY 1_2016 | 151